If you’ve ever used an AI music generator (like Soundraw, AIVA, Boomy, or OpenAI’s Jukebox), you know that the key to getting great results is giving it the right prompt—a clear instruction telling the AI what kind of music you want.
But how do you write a good music prompt? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Why Do Prompts Matter?
AI music tools don’t "understand" music the way humans do—they rely on your input to generate the right sound. A well-written prompt helps the AI create music that matches your vision.
What to Include in Your Music Prompt
Here are the most important things to mention:
1. Genre / Style
Tell the AI what kind of music you want. Examples:
"Classical piano piece"
"Synthwave retro 80s"
"Lo-fi hip hop beats"
2. Mood or Vibe
Describe the feeling you want:
"Dark and mysterious"
"Happy and energetic"
"Calm and relaxing"
3. Instruments or Sounds
List the instruments or sounds you like:
"Electric guitar with heavy distortion"
"Orchestral strings and flute"
"Jazz trumpet solo"
4. Tempo (Speed)
Specify beats per minute (BPM) if you know it:
"120 BPM upbeat dance track"
"Slow 60 BPM ambient music"
5. Artist or Song Reference (Optional)
If you want a similar style, mention an artist or song:
"In the style of Hans Zimmer"
"Like Daft Punk’s Discovery album"
6. Structure & Length
If you need a specific format:
"3-minute song with intro, verse, and chorus"
"Short 30-second background music for a video"
Example Prompts
Here’s how a good prompt looks:
"Make a 2-minute uplifting electronic dance track with strong synths, a punchy bassline, and 128 BPM—similar to Avicii’s early 2010s music."
"Generate a relaxing lo-fi beat with soft piano, light rain sounds, and a slow tempo (70 BPM)."
Tips for Better Results
? Be specific – Instead of "a happy song," try "a cheerful pop song with acoustic guitar and clapping beats."
? Mix keywords – Combine genre + mood + instruments (e.g., "epic orchestral battle music with drums and choir").
? Experiment & refine – If the first result isn’t perfect, tweak your prompt (e.g., add "less drums" or "more reverb").
Final Thought
The better your prompt, the better the AI-generated music will be. Try different combinations and see what works best for your project! ????